Characteristics of Self-Directed Learners - Key Information

The following list includes some of the common characteristics of self-directed learners. The characteristics are followed by a question about how DI may be used to support the development of the characteristic.

Note: The online articles referenced in Activity 7 A-1 include additional characteristics, attitudes, and skills.

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DI and Self-Directed Learners

	Characteristic	Questions
1.	Independent and Self-Managing	How does regular self-assessment that is tied to a collaborative relationship between teacher and student help to build this quality?
2.	Self-Disciplined, Responsible, and Self-Monitoring	How could you incorporate personal reflection or goal-setting into your DI lessons as a means of helping students develop these characteristics?
3.	Curious and willing to try new things	How does interest-based differentiation of all kinds, including Centers and Stations, Tic-Tac-Toe and Choice Boards, help students to look forward to learning and discovery?
4.	View problems as challenges	How might experience in working with a group to solve a Problem-Based Learning scenario help students develop this skill?
5.	Motivated and Persistent	How does differentiated instruction that is carefully matched to a student’s ZPD or that provides enough scaffolding so that students can successfully meet a challenging learning task support the development of this skill?
6.	Reflective and aware of how best to learn for themselves	How does regular class-wide and small group debriefing—especially after students have learned new procedures or skills—help students to develop this skill?
7.	Use various learning strategies	How does the practice of differentiating instruction based on learning style preferences and the expectation that all students will learn to work using all eight intelligences support the development of this characteristic?
8.	Think critically and creatively	How does the regular use of ThinkDots or any variation of the Blooming Assessments strategy support the development of creative and critical thinking?
9.	Consider different viewpoints	How does collaborative group work help students develop this quality?
10.	Focused, On-Task, and Industrious	How might regular self-assessment, in which the student monitors his or her own progress against a set of standards or class goals, help students to develop this characteristic?